Echeveria plant named ‘Mira’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Echeveria  plant named ‘Mira’ that is characterized by dark green leaves with light green margins and a grey-red tip, leaves that curve upwards and leaves with undersides that turn purplish in cool weather.

Botanical classification: Echeveria agavoides×E. mexicana.

Variety denomination: ‘Mira’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Echeveria plant botanically known as Echeveria agavoides×E. mexicana and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Mira’.

‘Mira’ originated from the crossing of the female or seed parent, an unnamed proprietary Echeveria agavoides cultivar, and the male or pollen parent, an unnamed proprietary Echeveria mexicana cultivar. The crossing was conducted in 2006 in Kudelstaart, Netherlands. The resulting seeds were subsequently planted and grown. The cultivar ‘Mira’ was selected by the inventor in 2008 in a controlled environment as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a cultivated area of Kudelstaart, Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Mira’ first occurred by leaf cuttings in 2008 in Kudelstaart, Netherlands. Since that time, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Echeveria cultivar ‘Mira’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘Mira’ as a new and distinct cultivar apart from other existing varieties of Echeveria known by the inventor.

-   -   1. Echeveria ‘Mira’ exhibits dark green leaves with light green         margins and a grey-red tip.     -   2. Echeveria ‘Mira’ exhibits leaves that curve upwards.     -   3. Echeveria ‘Mira’ exhibits leaves with undersides that turn         purplish in cool weather.

The closest comparison cultivar is Echeveria ‘Maria’ (not patented). ‘Mira’ is distinguishable from ‘Maria’ by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Echeveria ‘Mira’ exhibits a smaller overall size than the         overall size of ‘Maria’.     -   2. Echeveria ‘Mira’ exhibits dark green leaves with light green         margins and a grey-red tip. In comparison, the leaves of ‘Maria’         are light green with grey-red margins toward the tip.

‘Mira’ is distinguishable from the female parent plant, an unnamed proprietary Echeveria agavoides cultivar, by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Echeveria ‘Mira’ exhibits a more upright habit than the habit         of the female parent plant.     -   2. The leaves of ‘Mira’ are flatter than the leaves of the         female parent plant. The leaves of the female parent plant are         more rounded than the leaves of ‘Mira’.

‘Mira’ is distinguishable from the male parent plant, an unnamed proprietary Echeveria mexicana cultivar, by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Echeveria ‘Mira’ exhibits a larger number of leaves than the         male parent plant.     -   2. Echeveria ‘Mira’ exhibits narrower leaves than the leaves of         the male parent plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographs illustrate the distinguishing traits of Echeveria ‘Mira’.

FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a 10 month old plant.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the leaves.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Echeveria cultivar named ‘Mira’. Data was collected in Kudelstaart, Netherlands from 10 month old plants grown in a glass greenhouse in 10.5 cm. diameter containers. The time of year was Autumn and the temperature range was 18-25 degrees Centigrade during the day and 12-18 degrees Centigrade at night. The light level was natural light level. No photoperiodic treatments or growth retards were used. Color determinations are in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similar to the species. ‘Mira’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   Botanical classification: Echeveria agavoides×E. mexicana ‘Mira’. -   Annual or perennial: Perennial. -   Parentage: ‘Mira’ is a hybrid of the female parent an unnamed     proprietary Echeveria agavoides cultivar and the male parent an     unnamed proprietary Echeveria mexicana cultivar. -   Plant type: Pot plant. -   Plant shape: Basal rosette. -   Suitable container size: 7 cm. pots or larger. -   Plant height: 5.8 cm. -   Plant width: 15.6 cm. -   Vigor: Moderate. -   Low temperature tolerance: 10° Centigrade. -   High temperature tolerance: 40° Centigrade. -   Propagation: Leaf cuttings. -   Time to initiate roots (summer): 14 days at 20° C. -   Time to initiate roots (winter): 21 days at 20° C. -   Time to produce a rooted cutting (summer): 120 days at 20° C. -   Time to produce a rooted cutting (winter): 150 days at 20° C. -   Growth rate: Approximately 0.6 cm. per month. -   Crop time: Approximately 5 months from July to November in     Kudelstaart, Netherlands. -   Root system: Fibrous. -   Root color: N155. -   Plant fragrance: None. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Basal rosette.         -   Compound or single.—Single.         -   Quantity of leaves per plant.—Average 80.         -   Leaf shape.—Oblanceolate, slightly carinate.         -   Leaf apex.—Acute to short apiculate.         -   Leaf base.—Broad cuneate.         -   Leaf dimensions.—6.3 cm. in length and 2.4 cm. in width.         -   Leaf thickness.—0.8 cm.         -   Texture.—Glabrous both surfaces, succulent.         -   Pubescence.—Absent.         -   Leaf margin.—Entire.         -   Venation pattern.—None visible.         -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—189A, margin and tip 192A             to 192C.         -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—191A, tip 192A.         -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—189A, base 147B, margins             148D, tip 179B.         -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—148B, darker toward top             148A, margins 148C, tip 179B.         -   Leaf attachment.—Sessile. -   Flower: Flower production has not been observed to date. -   Fruit and seed: Fruit and seed production has not been observed to     date. -   Disease and pest resistance: Disease and pest resistance has not     been observed. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Echeveria plant named ‘Mira’ as described and illustrated. 